Checking Airflow is Not Just a Summer Thing

Checking for proper airflow is not just a summer thing. Most techs know that poor airflow is the first thing you should check in the case of freezing up air conditioning coils or lower than normal suction pressures in cooling. We need to be concerned with airflow in the heating season as well. In fact, in the case of heat pumps, airflow is arguably more important in the heating season because the indoor coil is now the condenser. Sure signs of an airflow problem in a heat pump are low suction pressures and icing in the summer and frequent high pressure switch trips in the winter. I have heard several stories about systems which techs “fixed” by adding charge in the summer and taking it out in the winter. In effect, they are overcharging the system in the summer and undercharging it in the winter. Of course this kills both system efficiency and the compressor. In the summer, the overcharge causes liquid dilution of the compressor oil, and in the winter the undercharge makes the compressor run hot. Other signs of poor airflow include open fuse links on strip heaters, open strip heaters, or open thermal limits which eventually fail from opening and closing repeatedly. In gas furnaces, poor airflow will cause a higher than normal temperature rise. In the case of gas furnaces, it is possible to have too much airflow. Too much airflow will reduce the temperature rise below the minimum, which can cause condensation in heat exchangers which are not designed for condensation. Typical temperature rise for mist furnaces is between 40°F and 70°F. However, check the data plate on the furnace for the exact specification.

Shurtape Supports Education

ShurTape has launched an initiative to follow three students at Athens Technical College through their studies in the Air Conditioning Technology Program. To support the students, Shurtape is challenging each of them to a series of missions. They complete the mission and report their findings on the ShurTape blog. The students are paid $500 for each completed mission, up to $5000 for the year.  A mission can be to interview the owner of an HVACR company  about HVACR careers, or discuss job safety with a tech in the field. They have chosen three students with different backgrounds and ages, who are at different points in the program. By following the three students blog postings, you can vicariously experience a little of life as an Air Conditioning Technology student and see how they progress in their career quest. I am quite pleased to be working with ShureTape in helping promote our industry. I really appreciate their support – I know Josue, Daniel, and Thomas do. To read more anut the program and the students taking part, go to http://www.shurtape.com/Blog